5 students under watch for H1N1

CEBU, Philippines – Five students in Cebu are currently under observation for possible influenza A (H1N1) infection, this after they manifested flu-like symptoms for a few days following the opening of classes for college students last Monday.

Department of Health Central Visayas Spokeswoman Dr. Cora Lou Kintanar said that the five were advised to self-quarantine in the dormitory where they are staying.

Theirs is a school-managed dormitory and administrators immediately coordinated with the DOH upon learning of the students’ situation.

Some of them reportedly have traveled to Manila where most number of confirmed cases of H1N1 was reported before coming back to Cebu for the opening of class.

They all stayed in the same room so chances of virus transmission are high said Kintanar. They were put under observation for developing fever, colds and cough.

Swab specimens were already taken from them and sent to the Regional Institute for Tropical Medicine in Manila.

Kintanar said however that the results will come out in no definite time because delays are imminent due to the bulk of specimens that arrive in RITM for testing.

The self-quarantine will last for ten days while waiting for the results of the test. Kintanar said that the result will determine what kind of medication or treatment will be given to the students.

If they will be tested positive, they will immediately be given Oseltamivir or Tamiflu which will help prevent the spread of Influenza A and B virus.

Kintanar said that the five students were still able to attend a reception activity or some sort of orientation in school before they fell ill.

Contact tracing has started in case the patients will be found positive of the virus.

Currently, there have been 101 suspected cases tested in the region. About four were confirmed positive, 65 were tested negative while 32 still have pending results.

Kintanar said that so far they have not advised the school to suspend classes because the cases are not confirmed yet.

She however said that should the patients turn infected the suspension of classes in the college where the five patients are enrolled will still depend on the discretion of the school’s administration.

Kintanar also reported that by next week, the Collaborative Molecular Laboratory in the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center will start operating where initial testing of specimen suspected for H1N1 infection will be conducted. 

Meanwhile, the Maritime Industry Authority-7 yesterday conducted an ocular inspection of all domestic passenger ships to determine their compliance in preventing the introduction and or spear of the H1N1 virus.

MARINA inspectors are scheduled to continue their inspection of all passengers ships at the Cebu ports.

MARINA-7 regional director Glenn Cabanez said ship crew should also undergo training in dealing passengers suspected to have H1N1.

Cabanez said their office closely coordinating with the Bureau of Quarantine, Department of Health and other government agencies.

He said that their office initiated the campaign in support of the national government campaign against H1N1.

He added that their office can impose sanctions against ship owners who refused to comply and cooperate in the campaign against H1N1. — Jessica Ann R. Pareja and Jose P. Sollano/BRP (THE FREEMAN)